Careers: Aquarium Science

If you have a passion for Earth’s underwater worlds, consider starting an exciting career in the field of Aquarium Science at your local community college! Many community colleges in the country have comprehensive programs specifically designed to teach students about the fundamental concepts, skills, and theories needed to effectively work in a professional aquarium or related marine setting.

For example, through the marine and aquatic biology program offered at the Florida Keys Community College, students can pursue careers in “Fisheries Science,” “Aquaculture / Mariculture,” or “Ecology and Conservation.” Through these programs, students explore their surrounding Florida marine habitats. At the same time, both hands-on and formal learning venues provide students with the necessary skills and experience to pursue a professional career in the field.

This video outlines the programs available at The College of the Florida Keys in Key West, Florida.

While The College of the Florida Keys is certainly located in an ideal location for marine-based studies, an array of colleges in other areas also provide students with similar training, utilizing their own local marine science resources and facilities.

Oregon Coast Community College

One of the most notable schools providing students with unique marine-based educational opportunities is Oregon Coast Community College (OCCC), located in Newport, Oregon. At OCCC, students have the opportunity to earn their Associates of Applied Science degree in Aquarium Science by pursuing

Although they were once known primarily for their vocational programs and associate degrees, community colleges have expanded their programs to serve a wider audience. And while community colleges still do an outstanding job of fulfilling their original roles, community colleges have now become a center for scientific and engineering learning.

In fact, in recent years, according to the National Science Foundation (NSF), more students have turned to community colleges to prepare them for a career in science and engineering. Research from the NSF study reveals interesting reasons why students begin their careers at a community college.

Many scientists and engineers begin at community college

Community colleges are, without a doubt, great schools. They offer many different types of programs for a wide range of academic interests. Truthfully, it is no longer fair or even accurate (if it ever was) to think of them as an “easy” two-year school for those looking to earn an associate’s degree.

Today, according to the NSF, less than 30% of community college students are looking to simply earn an associate’s degree. This means that over 70% of the students attending community colleges are looking for more than just a two-year program. These statistics reveal that many people view community colleges as a viable option when beginning their educational careers.

In fact, according to the NSF, 44% of students who earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the physical sciences,